Promise

Earth Wind & Fire | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kalimba Records
• ASIN: B001OFUU50
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,191 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

With this project, the producers and songwriters considered the preferences of the adult audience; and have continued the tradition of EW&F in creating an album that is pure listening pleasure from beginning to end.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic new and fresh EWF!, May 22, 2003

By 

Michael J. Goodwin (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Promise (Audio CD)

I can't believe that at nearly 40, I'm still excited about a brand new EWF release! I clearly remember stopping at the local Licorice Pizza record store when "I Am" and "All 'n All" were released. I still have that childish feeling of anticipation about this release! I got this CD the day it was released and I love everything on it! There's not a dud in the bunch. A true sampling of what the powerhouse EWF is all about. Philip is outstanding, as expected. He shines on "Betcha", even emitting a trill that reminds the listener of the classic "Fantasy". He truly sounds as good as ever. It's so refreshing to hear Maurice on so many more tracks than the last release (Avatar aka In The Name Of Love). I was so afraid that his condition would prevent him from recording ever again, but he's obviously gotten Parkinson's under control. Maurice's voice is not as strong as before, but it is as smooth as ever, shining on "Let Me Love You", "All About Love", "She Waits" and so many more. Of course, the KALIMBA rings strongly throughout the entire CD. Background vocals from former members of The Emotions sound fantastic. The only real criticism I have is that I understood that many of the former members (Al McKay, Larry Dunn, Andrew Woolfolk) were to perform on this album and that is not the case. Also absent is long-time member Ralph Johnson. Nevertheless, Maurice, Philip, Verdine and other talented musicians provide a classic true EWF sound. (Note: If the track "Dirty" reminds you of classic EWF, there's a reason: it was actually recorded in 1978 during the "I Am" sessions. Still sounds great today, though!) Get this album! You can't go wrong. I've already gotten three: one for home, one for the car and one for the office. Peace, Kalimba.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite an unexpected and consistent release., January 4, 2004

By 

guillermoj (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Promise (Audio CD)

Given the many years that have passed since the heyday of EWF, this is one group that I thought would not record together again, much less to do so in such a brilliant fashion.

I am amazed at the manner in which EWF has managed to release a product that is both true to its origins and does not get lost in trying to use all the bells and whistles (i.e guests rappers, Neptune-production, Dianne Warren single) that most artists (new and old) think that they need to resort to in order to sell records.

Maurice White and Philip Bailey have such a chemistry and the music sounds like classic EWF without the repetitive familiarity that sometimes taints oldies but goodies after one hears them over and over again. There are potential singles galore, but what I like is that you can hear it from the beggining to end without ever forgetting that it's EWF, but it still feels new and cohesive. The only "guests" on the CD are The Emotions ("Best Of My Love"), Angie Stone, and Gerald Albright, but they only add to what is EWF and don't serve as pasted on marketing ploys.

Here is to many more years of music from the heart. EWF's message of love and light may seem like new age psychobabble to some, but they've been at it before it became fashionable or went out of fashion. Give this release a try and you might find yourself surprised at how good you feel afterwards.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Promise You'll Love It, May 23, 2003

By 

Michael T. Foy (Bensalem, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Promise (Audio CD)

I'm seriously, honestly impressed by this CD. I must admit, due to Maurice White's on-the-road absences, I expected less than this effort. Not only was I shamed, but I'm sincerely blown away. Every track is a serious contender to ANYTHING, ANY SONG in today's music business.

R&B, Pop, Smooth Jazz, Dance, Latin... most importantly... classic, hearfelt, deep-in-the-groove ballads featuring both Maurice and Phillip... it's all here.

I am not capable of accurately describing the musical importance of EWF and this CD. Take the best "elements" of the EWF sound- Maurice, Phillip, Verdine's driving bass, horns, the Emotions (yes, they participate heavily on a couple tracks)- it is all here.

My favorites... first track, "All In the Way," is a fun marriage of contemporary R&B with classic EWF sound, complete with the Emotions, horn section and kalimba! What a great way to kick off the set... second track, "Betcha'", wow. Phillip Bailey perfectly delivers the ULTIMATE breakup anthem, in a way that could certainly make 99.99% of today's male R&B singers choose a diffent career... but then... Maurice delivers the double KO after track 3's interlude on "Why". I'm talking CLASSIC, purely soulful Maurice White... Then... "Wonderland", an uplifting inspirational/love masterpiece in the vein of "That's the Way of the World," "Devotion," and "Keep Your Head to the Sky" just melts me with its harmony (and appearance by Angie Stone). Just beautiful... One more to cover here, because I must leave a few surprises to the EWF fans out there, and as I'm typing this, I'm realizing that I'm totally loving every song and this review could easily surpass the maximim 1,000 words... Track 6, "Where Do We Go From Here?," I found myself humming the hook at a bowling alley!!! The harmony is totally embedded in my mind now, and if the sounds of pins crashing can't overpower it, I don't know what could. Wow.

I'm 30/White-Hispanic/Male/Married. I'm totally sucked in. DO BUY THIS CD.

Thank you, Earth, Wind and Fire, for your timless Devotion to music and an outstanding new recording. It's an instant classic.